Chester

Our second day in Manchester we took the train to Chester, where I had booked a tour through a website I found online, http://www.chesterwalls.info/.

We met up with Steve on a very misty, wet morning, and received the grand tour of this fabulous, quaint old town.

Jess shot this one of the rest of us, near the beginning of our  adventure with Steve.  As it was raining steadily, we started in the covered shopping area, which was double decker!

You can see some of the shops from our view across the street.  It was very interesting to walk on the second level, as each business was in charge of what type of flooring.  I wish one of us would have taken photos of the flooring, as sometimes it was wood, or tile, or stone.  It just depended on who owned the property and what materials they chose to use.  It wasn't always even, so you had to watch your step!

I found this one shot showing some of the variation of flooring on the second level of shops.

Unfortunately, I have a considerable amount of reflection in this photo of a meat market.  Steve told us that all businesses (in the old days and even currently) are grouped.  So, there might be several meat markets in the same area, or bakeries, or whatever.  I would imagine that might work in favor of the consumers, as being close to each other, prices would be easy to compare.

One of the gates in the early wall, as there is more city on the other side.

Crumbling old wall, yet still navigable!

Anyone recall the Beatle's song "Nowhere Man"?  Steve told us that this is the house, known locally as "Nowhere House" that the Beatles heard about and John Lennon visited.  This house supposedly inspired him to write the song. 

Another nice section that is a mix of old and restored.

Pemberton is my maiden name, so I was tickled to find this plaque.  It is probably impossible to read, but tells of a gentleman named John Pemberton who was a Murenger (responsible for upkeep of the wall) who sort of initiated the use of a section of the wall as a "Parlour".  Ladies and gentlemen would promenade the wall, then sit and converse in the little jutting out section.  Sort of 18th century parking, I gather!

This is Pemberton's Parlour.  Not sure why it is gated off!

We walked the entire city on the wall, taking detours on occasion to view the inner and outer walls when handy.  This part was near the ancient jail, part of the earliest wall.  This was a moat, which later became the garbage dump.  It became a treasure trove of findings when excavated (I don't recall when).
There are a few memorials barely visable, as for many years it has sadly become a place chosen for the despondent to throw themselves over the side and perish.  Steve said this was due to the connection with the original gallows, and the walkway seen in the next photo.

This is the other side.  The tiny bridge was called "The Bridge of Sighs" as those who were walked across, were walking to their death in the gallows, having been found guilty of some crime or another. (Gallows long gone, and a newer building is now obstructing the path.)

Another of the city gates; I don't recall which one!)

This photo is taken from a pub where we stopped for refreshment.  The white bridge you can see in the background was the "tow bridge" used by horses pulling or "towing" barges along the canal.  It's very cleverly constructed, as the horses walked up on the left side of the canal, across the bridge, then down on the other side, towing the barge along behind them.

Inside the pub, this big gear thing had to do with the  canal, but I don't recall what exactly!  It's the focal point of the pub.

Another view inside the pub.

Old telly on the wall in the pub!

This is one of the oldest pubs still in existence in Chester!


Our Chester tour was very informative and Steve's droll Brit humor was highly entertaining!
If you're ever in the area, book a tour.  You won't be disappointed!